camp gives back 2015

Wow! This summer has flown by… We can’t believe that ‘Camp’ Camp 2015 is less than two weeks away! Very soon, approximately 215 people from across the U.S., plus Canada, Australia, and the U.K. will be converging on a summer camp in southwestern Maine ready to dive in to another best-time-ever week of summer camp activities, fun evening social events, and smiles & laughter with new friends. Forty-six of this year’s Campers have been with us for an unbelievable 10 years or more, including this year’s 15th-Year Campers: Nick D. of Caldwell, NJ, Jes Q. of Bedford, NH, David K. of New York, NY, Char P. of Provincetown, MA, Ann G. of Topsham, ME, and Mark “Princess” C. of Atlanta, GA. We will be donating $100 in each of their names to the It Gets Better Project in honor of their noteworthy Camp anniversary, a tradition we began since instituting our Camp Gives Back campaign three years ago.

In recognition of our commitment to welcome, embrace, and support all members of the LGBT community, we are pleased to announce that Camp Aranu’tiq, a New Hampshire-based summer camp program serving transgender & gender-variant youth and their families, is the beneficiary of this summer’s Camp Gives Back campaign. Camp Aranu’tiq (pronounced “Ar-a-NOO-tick”) was founded in 2009 and currently serves over 400 campers over the course of the year via their flagship summer camps in New Hampshire and California, as well leadership programs for older teens and weekend family camps. (Camp Aranu’tiq is just one of several programs run by Harbor Camps, a non-profit organization that provides camps for youth and families of populations that may often feel marginalized.) We know first-hand the supportive and encouraging community that can develop around a summer camp experience, so we are thrilled to support Camp Aranu’tiq in their efforts to provide such an important & amazing experience to transgender & gender-variant youth from across the country.

If you are attending Camp this summer, you can help support Camp Aranu’tiq by just buying an extra Camp t-shirt or souvenir or two (or three) in the Camp Store. You’ll also be able to make additional donations to Aranu’tiq via your Cashless ‘Camp’ Camp account. If you aren’t able to join us this summer, we suggest that you pop over to Harbor Camp’s website and make a donation. (Be sure to note that you were referred by ‘Camp’ Camp.)

Aranu’tiq is a chugach (Yup’ik, an Indigenous people of Alaska) word for a person who was thought to embody both the male and female spirit. Aranu’tiq people were often revered and thought to be very lucky because their existence transcended traditional boundaries. Unfortunately, in today’s society, transgender & gender-variant youth are often bullied, ridiculed, and made to feel less-than. We encourage you to join us in supporting Camp Aranu’tiq in providing an invaluable experience that helps these youth maintain a sense of worth and belonging by making a donation today.

I’ve been to festivals and conventions, and even camp as a kid, and been overwhelmed by the number of people, and felt lost in the shuffle. That didn’t happen here! Returning Campers and Staff, as well as other first-years, were very friendly. I never felt alone or isolated.

Nicole Y., Ann Arbor, MI

I love the Camp experience and always feel rejuvenated after attending.

Sherron W., Edison, NJ

I just love Camp. It gives me the opportunity to totally & literally unplug. No cell phone, no computer… total vacation time for me.

Charles L., Colrain, MA

I love the grounds; they are so beautiful and serene. It made it easy to do nothing and just enjoy the nature sounds.

Linda B., Cincinnati, OH

I met some really amazing and very special people that I otherwise would have never crossed paths with. My heart doubled in size in just one week.

Gina Y., Houston, TX

Thank you all for the gift of a wonderful week. I appreciate your patience, care, generosity, understanding, attention to detail, hard work, creativity, openness, effort, and LOVE!

Thom H., Salem, MA

It’s affordable and awesome!

Samantha A., Norfolk, VA

This place changed my life. I am a better person because of Camp.

Geoff L., Los Angeles, CA

Everything was amazing!!!

Gary E., Ogdensburg, NY

I’ve never had as much fun anywhere as I do at Camp.

Linda R., Manchester, NH

The openness of everyone’s attitudes and acceptance was intoxicating.

Brandon W., New Orleans, LA

I’ve always felt welcome and included at Camp, perhaps more there than in many other places at home.

Jen V., Cincinnati, OH

It’s a week I wait for every year.

Michael L., Tucson, AZ

Everyone was so friendly when we first arrived. I was hooked! …’Camp’ Camp feels like home.

Lisa M., Wallingford, CT

I love this place!

Stephanie V., Exeter, NH

It’s like I’ve been recharged. …It is the one place where I can be my truest self. You can’t put a price on that.

Michael G., Brooklyn, NY

You have built a wonderful community. …I came away very impressed.

Estelle D., Cambridge, MA

Thanks for continuing to make ‘Camp’ Camp a place for us to relax, unwind and be ourselves!!

Scott T., Chicago, IL

All the evening activities were outstanding. So much fun!

Glynn G., Lowell, MA

My friends never stop talking about it, and now I know why!

Jason S., Brooklyn, NY

The diversity within our community is astounding, and I feel that everyone was welcome…and especially appreciate that the whole age spectrum of our community was included, from the energetic (sometimes scared) kids to our esteemed elders.

Lori M., Merriam, KS

I’m not a terribly social person and large groups can make me uncomfortable. That being said, I never felt safer in a group of people so quickly before.

Shelley D., Nashville, TN

All the important things, the take-aways, I got from summer camp as a child remain still as an adult. I get a chance to make new friends, try new things, and rekindle my spirit.

Mary Beth K., Columbia, SC

…Everyone made me feel very welcome, from Staff to Campers.

Adam H., Lafayette, LA

The food was fantastic throughout the week, and there’s always lots of fun things to do all day long.

Tony J., Tampa, FL

It is the most positive experience I participate in and makes my year!

Michael S., Astoria, NY

I keep returning for the community and sense of peace, love, and all around decency.

Lyndsey F., Santa Rosa, CA

I learned so much and created some beautiful things in my jewelry and pottery classes. We are very fortunate to have such amazing teachers in all of the activities at Camp.

Barry R., New York, NY

I laughed more in one week than I did all year.

Richard H., Montreal, QC

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